Drum type rotary coal cutter with water jet orifices

ABSTRACT

A rotary coal cutter of the type having a drum mounting a cutting implement wherein channels lead through the cutter to orificies from which water can be jetted to reduce dust. In particular the cutter may be of the helical type. From a different aspect, the drum has tubes formed within the drum and communicating with jetting orificies in the cutting implement.

States Patent 1 Allen [45] Aug. 6, 1974 DRUM TYPE ROTARY COAL CUTTER WITH WATER JET ()RIFICES [75] Inventor: Thomas Jeffrey Allen, Bessacarr,

England [73] Assignee: Fletcher Sutcliffe Wild Limited, Horbury, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 311,734

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 11, 1971 Great Britain 57638/71 Jan. 6, 1972 Great Britain 706/72 [52] US. Cl. 299/81, 299/87 [51] Int. Cl. E216 25/10 [58] Field of Search 299/81, 87; 175/393 [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,042,019 9/1966 Great Britain 299/81 934,289 8/1963 Great Britain 299/81 Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ernest F. Marmorek [5 7] ABSTRACT A rotary coal cutter of the type having a drum mounting a cutting implement wherein channels lead through the cutter to orificies from which water can be jetted to reduce dust. In particular the cutter may be of the helical type. From a different aspect, the drum has tubes formed within the drum and communicating with jetting orificies in the cutting implement.

20 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUMIB i 3.827.755

SHEET 1 OF 4 PMENIE we 6l974 SHEET 2 [IF 4 Fl i DRUM TYPE ROTARY COAL CUTTER WITH WATER JET: ORIFICES The present invention relates to rotary coal cutters.

It is desirable and now a requirement in United Kingdom coal mines, that water should be delivered to the coal face at the coal cutter to cut down the spread of coal dust. At present, water is usually delivered by apparatus independent of the coal cutter and such appa ratus is expensive to install. It is one object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage and provide an improved and more convenient manner of delivering, water to the coal face. i

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a rotary coal cutter comprises a drum, a cutting implement mounted on the drum and projecting generally radially of theaxis thereof, the cutting implement being adapted to mount a plurality of picks at positions remote from the drum and spaced around the periphery of the drum, and passages in the implement leading from an interior part of the drum to orifices formed in the implement.

The orifices are advantageously positioned in the vicinity of the picks.

The interior part of the drum can be connected to a source of water under pressure for delivery of the water through the passages for ejection at the orifices.

The implement may be of disc form or of helical form, the latter preferably comprises a plurality of segments each secured to the drum and also secured each to the next adjacent segment, each segment having reservoir means such as a channel extending width wise of the segment along the helix, the channels being in communication with the interior of the drum, said passages leading from the channels to the orifices.

Preferably, each channel is formed in the inner peripheral face of the corresponding segment. The channels are conveniently formed opening also into the side faces of the segments, so that the channels may form extensions of one-another; if desired, however, plates may be welded to the side faces to close the channels from one another.

In a modification, each channel is formed in one of the major faces which extends along the helix and the channel is closed at that face by a plate secured to the corresponding segment. In this case, passages extend from the inner periphery of each segment to the channel and also from the channel to the orifices.

In a further modification, each channel is defined by a bore extending from at least oneside face of each segment along the helix.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a rotary coal cutter comprises a drum provided with a cutting implement and water spraying means including spray orifices in the vicinity of the cutting implement, wherein a plurality of tubes are spaced circumferentially around the interior of the drum, each tube extending parallel to the drum axis and each tube being in communication with the water conveying means and being adapted within the drum interior for connection to a water supply.

The tubes may be initially separately formed and then mounted in the drum, or, alternatively, the tubes may be formed between channelshaped members and the interior of the drum.

The invention is particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary coal cutter according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is one end elevation of the rotary coal cutter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the opposit end of the coal cutter;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one segment of a helical cutting implement of the cutter;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the coal cutter;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing how a water conveyance tube is mounted in a drum of the coal cutter;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified segment of the helical cutting implement; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further modification of the segment of the helical cutting implement.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 6, the rotary cutter shown comprises a drum 3 keyed on a shaft 9 (FIG. 2) in conventional manner. A peripheral wall of the drum serves externally to support a first cutting implement 2 formed in a helix and co-axial with the drum, the implement extending generally radially outwardly of the axis of the drum. At one end of the drum there is mounted a second cutting implement 20 welded to the drum and extending, radially outwardly of the drum. Each of the cutting implements 2, 20 is provided with a plurality of recesses 6 each mounting a pick box 5, 41 respectively, the pick boxes being spaced around the periphery of the drum and mounted, remote from the drum, in the peripheral faces of the implements 2, 20. Each pick box 5, 41 mounts a replaceable pick 12, 42 respectively, in conventional manner.

The peripheral wall of the drum 3 is provided with elongate slots 4 (FIG. 6) extending parallel to the drum axis, nine such slots being provided in this example. Each slot 4 closely receives a rectangular section tube 11 which is welded into the slot. In the example illustrated, the drum has a diameter of 24 inches and each tube is 2 inches by 1 inch in section. The narrower sides of the tube project into the interior of the drum 3 and the outer face of each tube is substantially flush with the peripheral outer surface of the drum 3. Each tube 11 has an aperture 16 (FIG. 5) which communicates with .the interior of the cutting implement 2, as described below, and is closed at each end. Each tube carries an inlet nozzle 8 for connection with a pressurised supply of water.

The first cutting implement 2 includes a plurality of segments 1, shaped so that when secured, each to a next adjacent segment, the segments complete a helix. The segments are metal castings, which are buttwelded to one another to define the helix and are also welded to the periphery of the drum.

Each segment 1 has a channel 15 extending from one side to the other of the segment and opening at both said sides and at the rear face of the segment which is welded to the drum. The channel of each segment registers with the channel of each next adjacent segment and the apertures 16 in the tubes 11 communicate the channels with the interiors of the tubes 11. From each channel, a plurality of passages are formed, each passage 17 leading to an orifice 18 of a nozzle 19 (FIG. 1) positioned in the peripheral outer face of the implement, one between each two adjacent picks.

The second cutting implement 20 comprises an end plate 21 welded to one end of the drum 3 and defining an outwardly extending radial flange on the drum. The end plate 21 is provided with nine radial slots 22, each of which receives a bracket 24. Each bracket has a gusset portion 25 (FIGS. 1 and which seats on the drum periphery and against the end plate 21. The gusset portion 25 is welded both to the end plate 21 and to the drum 3. Each gusset portion overlies a corresponding tube 11.

Each bracket 24 also includes a water-jet portion 26 integral with the gusset portion and extending through the corresponding slot 22. Each water jet portion defines an end face 27, parallel to the end plate 21, and an outer peripheral face 28.

Bores are provided in each bracket to define a set of passages including a main passage 30 extending through the gusset portion 25 and leading from an aperture 31 in the wall of the underlying tube 11. A first branch passage 32 leads from the main passage 30 to an orifice 33 of a jet (not shown) at the end face 27 and a second branch passage 34 leads from the main passage to an orifice 35 in a jet 38 (FIG. 1) at the peripheral face 26. A third branch passage 36 leads to the opposite face to the end face 27 and opens at an orifice 37 of a jet 43 (FIG. 1).

Between each pair of brackets 24, there is mounted a part-annular plate 39 welded to the end plate 21. Each part-annular plate has a rear face 40 flush with the rear faces of the brackets 24. The outer peripheral face of each plate 39 carries the pick boxes 41.

In use, the drum 3 is rotated so as to rotate both the helical cutting implement 2 and the second cutting element 20 so that the picks 12, 42 effect cutting of coal from a coal face. The helical cutting implement also acts as a guide for guiding coal to a conveyor adjacent the coal face. During rotation, the tubes 11 are connected to a source of water under pressure and, preferably, a known valve arrangement is included between the source and the tubes 11 and is operable in phase with rotation of the drum, so that the tubes are intermittently supplied with water. The arrangement is such that only the tubes in communication with the orifices transiently near the coal face are supplied with water through the tubes 11. Water is ejected through the orifices 18 in the first, helical implement and the orifices 33, 35, 36 in the second implement, water being directed at the coal face and at cut coal picked up by the helical implement. By this means, the spread of dust away from the face, as cutting proceeds, is reduced.

The above described rotary coal cutter incorporating the system of water jetting can be cheaply assembled and is particularly effective in use. Further there are no pipes on, in the vacinity of the coal cutter, during a cutting operation, so that risk of damage to the water jetting system is reduced and the system is particularly robust.

It is envisaged that water can be supplied only to the first helical implement, or only to the second implement, if desired.

The tubes provide a particularly effective, cheap and robust manner of conveying water through the drum withouhany substantial projection to the interior of the drum, whereby the risk of damage is reduced.

Referring to FIG. 7, a modified segment 101 is provided with pick boxes 106 having picks 112. The segment is a casting and is formed with a transverse channel spaced from the inner peripheral face 101A and from one side wall 1018 of the segment. In the example shown, the channel is of rectangular section, but any other section may be chosen. The channel is formed in one of the major faces 101C defining a part of a side of the helical implement and the open mouth at that face is closed by a plate recessed into the face 101C. An inlet passage 121 is formed in the opposite side wall 101D and leads from the channel 115 to the inner peripheral face 101A for communication with one of the tubes 11. Outlet passages 117 lead to orifices 118 from the channel. Welding of one segment to the next segment will close the passage 121 and the channel 115 at the side wall 101D, but one end segment must have these parts closed by other means such as a plate.

In a further modification, shown in FIG. 8, each channel 215 is a cast bore formed transversely in each segment 201 and 201D and a terminating short of one side wall 201B. The channel opens at the opposite side wall inlet passage 221 lead to the channel from the tubes 11. Outlet passages 217 lead to orifices 218 at the outer periphery of the helical implement. Each segment is again formed with pick boxes 205 having picks 212. 1

It is envisaged that the interior of the drum may be provided with a single annular chamber instead of the plurality of tubes for supply of water.

Instead of inserting tubes in slots in the interior peripheral wall of the drum, the tubes may be partially defined by the peripheral wall of the drum, by welding channel shaped members to the wall, so that the wall closes the mouths of the channels.

I claim:

1. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a helical cutting implement mounted on the drum and projecting generally radially of the axis thereof, the implement having a peripheral outer face, a plurality of pick boxes embedded in said face and spaced along the helix, the implement defining reservoir means along substantially the entire length of the helix and spaced from said face, a plurality of jets provided in said face, passage means defined by the helix and communicating each jet with said reservoir means, means communicating the reservoir means with with the interior of the drum, and means for supplying water under pressure to the interior of the drum, whereby the water is directed from said jets into the vicinity of picks mounted in said pick boxes, said implement comprising a plurality of cast segments, each secured to the drum and to the next adjacent segment.

2. The coal cutter of claim 1, wherein a separate reservoir is defined by each segment.

3. The coal cutter of claim 1, wherein the reservoir means is a single reservoir extending substantially the whole length of the helix.

4. The coal cutter of claim 1, each segment having an inner peripheral face and each segment defining a reservoir opening at said inner peripheral face, and at least one jet and at least one pick box provided in the outer peripheral face of each segment.

5. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a helical cutting element mounted on the drum and projecting generally radially of the axis thereof, the implement having an outer peripheral face, means for mounting a plurality of picks in said peripheral face and spaced along the helix, a plurality of jets mounted in the vicinity of the periphery of the helix, said drum having a pei ripheral wall defining a plurality of slots spaced circumferentially of the drum and extending parallel to the drum axis, a respective complementarily shaped tube mounted in each slot and projecting to the interior of the drum, the tubes being adapted within to the drum interior for connection to a water supply, and water passages communicating the tubes with the jets.

6. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a helical cutting implement mounted on the drum and projecting generally radially of the axis thereof, the cutting implement being adapted to mount a plurality of picks at positions remote from the drum and spaced around the periphery of -the drum, wherein the improvement resides in the implement defining passages leading from the orifices to communicate with an interior part of the drum, and

wherein the implement comprises a plurality of segments each secured to the drum and also secured to a next adjacent segment, each segment defining a channel extending widthwise of the segment along the helix, the channels being in communication with thetinterior of the drum, said passages leading from the channels to the orifices.

7. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is in communication with the channel of a next adjacent segment.

8. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 7, wherein each channel is defined by a bore extending from at least one side face of each segment along the helix.

9. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is cut off from the channel in the next adjacent segment.

10. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is formed in the inner peripheral face of the corresponding segment.

11. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is formed in one of the major faces which extend along the helix and the channel is closed at that face by a plate secured to the corresponding segment, and at least one passage extends from the inner peripheral face of each segment to the corresponding channel.

12. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a cutting implement mounted on the drum, the cutter defining spray orifices in the vicinity of the cutting implement, a plurality of tubes spaced circumferentially around the interior of the drum, each tube extending parallel to the drum axis, and water conveying means communicating the tubes with the orifices, the tubes being adapted within the drum interior for connection to a water supply, wherein each tube is mounted in a complementary slot in the peripheral wall of the drum.

13. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 12, wherein the outer face of each tube is flush with the outer peripheral face of the drum.

14. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 12, wherein each tube is welded in said complementary slot.

15. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 12, wherein each tube is defined by a channel shaped member secured to the interior peripheral wall of the drum, said peripheral wall serving to close the mouth of the channel.

ment from the tubes to the spray orifices.

17. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 16, wherein the cutting implement is adapted for mounting picks in a circle about the drum axis.

18. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 16, wherein the cutting implement is adapted for mounting picks along a helix about the drum axis.

19. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 18, including an additional cutting implement adapted to mount picks in a circle about the drum axis.

20. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 19, wherein the additional cutting implement defines spray orfices and passages extending from the tubes to the orfices. 

1. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a helical cutting implement mounted on the drum and projecting generally radially of the axis thereof, the implement having a peripheral outer face, a plurality of pick boxes embedded in said face and spaced along the helix, the implement defining reservoir means along substantially the entire length of the helix and spaced from said face, a plurality of jets provided in said face, passage means defined by the helix and communicating each jet with said reservoir means, means communicating the reservoir means with with the interior of the drum, and means for supplying water under pressure to the interior of the drum, whereby the water is directed from said jets into the vicinity of picks mounted in said pick boxes, said implement comprising a plurality of cast segments, each secured to the drum and to the next adjacent segment.
 2. The coal cutter of claim 1, wherein a separate reservoir is defined by each segment.
 3. The coal cutter of claim 1, wherein the reservoir means is a single reservoir extending substantially the whole length of the helix.
 4. The coal cutter of claim 1, each segment having an inner peripheral face and each segment defining a reservoir opening at said inner peripheral face, and at least one jet and at least one pick box provided in the outer peripheral face of each segment.
 5. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a helical cutting element mounted on the drum and projecting generally radially of the axis thereof, the implement having an outer peripheral face, means for mounting a plurality of picks in said peripheral face and spaced along the helix, a plurality of jets mounted in the vicinity of the periphery of the helix, said drum having a peripheral wall defining a plurality of slots spaced circumferentially of the drum and extending parallel to the drum axis, a respective complementarily shaped tube mounted in each slot and projecting to the interior of the drum, the tubes being adapted within to the drum interior for connection to a water supply, and water passages communicating the tubes with the jets.
 6. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a helical cutting implement mounted on the drum and projecting generally radially of the axis thereof, the cutting implement being adapted to mount a plurality of picks at positions remote from the drum and spaced around the periphery of the drum, wherein the improvement resides in the implement defining passages leading from the orifices to communicate with an interior part of the drum, and wherein the implement comprises a plurality of segments each secured to the drum and also secured to a next adjacent segment, each segment defining a channel extending widthwise of the segment along the helix, the channels being in communication with the interior of the drum, said passages leading from the channels to the orifices.
 7. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is in communication with the channel of a next adjacent segment.
 8. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 7, wherein each channel is defined by a bore extending from at least one side face of each segment along the helix.
 9. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is cut off from the channel in the next adjacent segment.
 10. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is formed in the inner peripheral face of the corresponding segment.
 11. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 6, wherein each channel is formed in one of the major faces Which extend along the helix and the channel is closed at that face by a plate secured to the corresponding segment, and at least one passage extends from the inner peripheral face of each segment to the corresponding channel.
 12. A rotary coal cutter comprising a drum, a cutting implement mounted on the drum, the cutter defining spray orifices in the vicinity of the cutting implement, a plurality of tubes spaced circumferentially around the interior of the drum, each tube extending parallel to the drum axis, and water conveying means communicating the tubes with the orifices, the tubes being adapted within the drum interior for connection to a water supply, wherein each tube is mounted in a complementary slot in the peripheral wall of the drum.
 13. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 12, wherein the outer face of each tube is flush with the outer peripheral face of the drum.
 14. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 12, wherein each tube is welded in said complementary slot.
 15. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 12, wherein each tube is defined by a channel shaped member secured to the interior peripheral wall of the drum, said peripheral wall serving to close the mouth of the channel.
 16. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 12 wherein the cutting implement defines the spray orfices and passages which extend through the cutting implement from the tubes to the spray orifices.
 17. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 16, wherein the cutting implement is adapted for mounting picks in a circle about the drum axis.
 18. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 16, wherein the cutting implement is adapted for mounting picks along a helix about the drum axis.
 19. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 18, including an additional cutting implement adapted to mount picks in a circle about the drum axis.
 20. A rotary coal cutter according to claim 19, wherein the additional cutting implement defines spray orfices and passages extending from the tubes to the orfices. 